Inmates among those under evacuation order as Alberta wildfire burns near Peace River | CBC News

· Posted: Apr 23, 2024 8:01 PM EDT | Last Updated: April 25

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Some residents in northwestern Alberta who had to evacuate their homes due to the threat of wildfire are expected to be able to return home Thursday morning.

The evacuation order issued for the Municipal District of Peace No. 135 is expected to be lifted at 6 a.m. Thursday, the MD said in an FB post. However, those residents will still be on alert and will need to be prepared to leave on one-hour notice.

The order is for residents in the area of Township Road 830, south to the Peace River, and from Highway 684, east to the Peace River. 

The Alberta Emergency Management Agency issued the order at 5:27 p.m. Tuesday, and it was updated at 7:06 p.m.

"Everyone else in the MD must prepare for a possible evacuation on short notice, especially those near this fire," the advisory cautioned residents. 

The MD has a population of more than 1,700 residents. 

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MD officials said on social media that the RCMP are on location and coordinating evacuation efforts.

According to municipal updates, the fire has continued to grow rapidly.

In an update around 9 a.m. Wednesday, Alberta Wildfire said the fire had consumed approximately 1,500 hectares and is continuing to burn out of control.

"Firefighters and emergency personnel are on scene fighting the fire and protecting properties," municipal officials said in a statement Tuesday. 

Reeve Robert Willing told CBC News said the dry conditions in the area have made it difficult for firefighters to contain the fire.

"It's in an area that's that's quite rugged, It's in the Peace River Valley," Willing said Tuesday. 

"It's very dry, and there's very little access into the area. So the loss of potential loss of homes is fairly minimal. But at the same time, the fire moves rapidly over very rough terrain." 

Inmates moved to secure space

Willing, who lives one kilometre away from the fire, said he may have to prepare to evacuate should the order be expanded.

The municipal fire department, Town of Grimshaw, Town of Peace River, County of Northern Lights and Alberta Forestry are collaborating to contain the fire.

The provincial department is using water bombers and helicopters equipped with water buckets. 

• Read the latest news about Alberta wildfires here

A spokesperson for the province said inmates at the Peace River Correctional Centre will be evacuated to a safe and secure space, and are under no imminent threat from the fire.

Road closures are also in effect according to advisories from 511 Alberta. Highway 684 from Highway 740 to Peace River Correctional Centre is affected with all lanes being closed.

Fire crews are on scene along the highway, southwest of Peace River, with people being asked to avoid the area.